60 Years of Ferrari in the US

In some of these archival photos from Ferrari North America, you'll spot famous faces but we'd also like to recognize some of the men who did not work for fame or extreme pay, rather for their passion. Without their devotion, and the commitment of men like them around the world, there would be no Ferrari or motorsport.

Yesterday, Ferrari North America held a birthday party for itself in Beverly Hills, California. And what a party it was! Virtually one of every significant Ferrari ever built was in attendance. Cars such as the 330 P4, 312PB, a couple of GTOs, Testa Rossas, this year’s Pebble Beach winner, FXXs, and even the first Ferrari in America, a 1948 Barchetta, made glittering Rodeo Drive shine a bit more brightly than usual.

One aspect that has always remained firmly in Italian hands is the styling, right? Yes and no. Ferraris have always been designed in-house or by Italian coachbuilders like Pininfarina, Scagletti, et al. But famous American designers have made significant contributions to Ferrari’s design language by their employment within the design firms. And this isn’t a new phenomenon either.

This coming Sunday, October 12, Beverly Hills, California will play host to “RACE THROUGH THE DECADES 1954-2014,” a car show honoring Ferrari North America’s sixtieth birthday. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for fans, collectors, and owners alike to see one of the finest and largest collections of classic and racing Ferraris ever assembled.

Ferrari is in the top tier of auto manufacturers when it comes to heritage, racing, and style. Over the years, this small-ish factory in Maranello has consistently cranked out hit after hit and any must-drive list should include at least a couple of il Commendatore's cavallinos. So we'd like to know what is the greatest Ferrari ever?

Back in late April, we debuted the above video starring one of the last Ferrari GTOs and Mr. Derek Hill, a racing driver in his own right and son of the first American Formula One Champion, Mr. Phil Hill, who also drove the car when it was new. Before it went live, many of us in the Petrolicious office watched it more than once enjoying the sights and sounds over and over. After it went live it seems that many of you did the same thing...

Montezemolo says these and other restrictions detract from the Grand Prix experience, stating “No one wants to watch a driver save gas or tires. They want to see them push from here to there. It's sport, yes, but also a show.” With driver Fernando Alonso dropping the flag at this year’s recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ferrari may be eyeing a return to sports-car racing, but why did it quit in the first place?

As much as any other car, the Ferrari 330 P4 is the embodiment and culmination of an entire era of racing. With its low-slung stance and voluptuous lines, it is also among the most visually stunning cars ever produced. Combine these factors and the word “icon” slips to the tip of one’s tongue.

While some race teams stuck to more local tracks, like Riverside, Pomona, and Palm Springs while those with larger budgets (and more successful Ferraris) and, eventually, the factory teams could afford traveling further abroad to major event tracks like Daytona, Laguna Seca, Sebring, and Watkins Glen...

The Ferrari 312PB is special for another reason too: it was Ferrari's last sports prototype before they exited sports car racing to focus their efforts solely on Formula One. They put the exclamation point on a long and storied history by winning the championship.

The results when Mario was brought on full-time and strapped into the 312 PB (with a flat-12 based on the F1 car) were astounding. In 1972, he and Mr. Jacky Ickx won at the Daytona 6 Hours, the Sebring 12 Hours, the 1,000 km at Brands Hatch, and Watkins Glen. Needless to say, Mario and Jacky helped capture the 1972 World Sportscar Championship.

Motorsport has always attracted a level of gentry, due to the wealth needed to participate, coupled with the zest for living life to the full, the thrill of danger, and the glory of victory. In the classic motoring world, no other era is met with more prestige than the ‘Gentleman Racer’ era, cemented by privateer race cars carossing the auction block for record sums.